September 2012 Meetings Recap

Source:
Palm Beach County League of Cities

Date:
September 27, 2012

We thank the City of Greenacres for hosting our September meetings.

Board Meeting The Board approved changes to the League's committees, adding members to Legislative, Environmental, Transportation, ITE, and Fundraising. They also approved the Associate membership application of Alberni, Caballero & Company. Welcome to the League!

Paul Davis, Environmental Manager with the County's Environmental Resources Management, presented on a new coastal group, the Southeast Florida Coastal Ocean Task Force. Its purpose will be to provide input to the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative. Martin, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties are also participating. The League has been asked to appoint three elected officials to the task force. The Board will make those appointments at its October meeting (go to www.leagueofcities.org/countycomm to learn more).

Tammy Fields of the County's Attorney's office and Captain Eric Coleman of PBSO explained the proposed countywide synthetic marijuana ordinance and why it is needed. The Board voted 'no objections' to the ordinance, and that vote was ratified later by the General Membership.

Executive Director Richard Radcliffe reported on options available for managing funds raised for the scholarship program. The Board voted to work with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County as a pass through agent, with the agreement to be vetted by the Finance Committee. Following a related discussion, the golf tournament remains on hiatus.

Associate member Dr. Carmine Priore proposed adding an Associate member to the Board of Directors as a non-voting member. The issue will be considered by the Policy & Procedures Committee.

The Board heard reports from President Wodraska on his collaboration initiative, and from 1st VP Martha Webster as Chair of the Legislative Committee.

General Membership We were welcomed by Mayor Sam Ferreri. County Commissioners Shelley Vana and Paulette Burdick, whose districts include Greenacres, addressed the membership.

Our featured speaker was Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits, who explained the proposed constitutional amendments that pertain to property tax. He also talked about the Value Adjustment Board.

League Counsel Brad Biggs updated us on pertinent legal issues (for full report go to our News page). Mr. Radcliffe reminded the members the the Literacy Coalition's Read for the Record is October 4. Also, the League is seeking hosts for our 2013 monthly meetings. Mr. Radcliffe recognized our members who serve on the Florida League of Cities' policy committees.

Next month we meet at Benvenuto Caterestaurant, hosted by the City of Boynton Beach and the Boynton Beach CRA.